Nectarine tree named &#39;Donutnice&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of flat nectarine tree, denominated ‘Donutnice’, has fruit of balanced white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of medium to large size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2006/1000 filed on Apr. 24, 2006 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Donutnice’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the varietydenomination ‘Donutnice’. This new tree produces flat nectarine with along shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growthcompletion and after harvesting, very good eating quality,semi-clingstone flesh fruit for fresh market in end of July to beginningof August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast ismade to ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) peach variety, standard variety, forreliable description.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Donutnice’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the southof France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement where it was tested.The ‘Donutnice’ variety results from a free pollination of ‘Maillarflat’(Sweetcap®) flat peach variety which was used as the seed parent.‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) variety was originated by using ‘Julie’ whitepeach as seed parent and an unnamed yellow flat peach tree as pollenparent. Pollen parent of ‘Donutnice’ variety is unknown but anauto-pollination of ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) variety is probable.‘Donutnice’ was provisionally designated, tested and geneticallyidentified by a genetic profile, as 02.07.19 NB-ASF 0283 and isregistered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of theFrench Republic Dec. 27, 2005 under number 1018866. It was obtained byhybridizing and propagated by grafting. It has been determined to haveunique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercialfresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standardrootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remainedtrue to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and thefruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us inElne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in March atPerpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Moreparticularly, it blooms between 9^(th) and 18^(th) of March, four daysbefore ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) variety.

The first fruit of ‘Donutnice’ nectarine tree ripens in July, 4 daysbefore the first fruit of ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) variety. Moreparticularly, it approximately ripens between July 25^(th) and August3^(th). The date of maturity varies slightly with the prevailingclimatic conditions. More particularly, date of maturity variations,until 5 or 6 days, can be due by climatic conditions during a 2-monthsperiod before blooming.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the reverse and side view ofthe flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed of the newvariety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows typical specimens of the fruiton the tree, the leaf and branch of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical leavesand a dorsal view of a single leaf.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical leaves;a dorsal view of a single leaf; two whole fruit sufficiently mature forharvesting and shipment; and a third fruit which has been cut in halfwith the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh,pit cavity and stone of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Donutnice’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and medium to large stature half-standing in asemi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The flowering shoot is presentexcluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins normally inspringtime. The type of flower is showy with relative medium petal size.Petals are pale pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time ofmaturity for consumption is medium. The fruit flesh is white and itsskin is very thick, of purple red blush color with a pink-washed redbackground and some occurrences of cork-lenticels. The stone is smallsize and the flesh is moderately adherent to the stone. Fruit taste isbalanced.

Compared to ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) peach variety, ‘Donutnice’ is anectarine tree which has the same time of maturity with a difference ofapproximately 4 days, although the red fruit coloration reaches 90 to100% of the fruit skin instead of 60 to 70% for ‘Maillarflat’(Sweetcap®) variety. Fruit of ‘Maillarflat’ (Sweetcap®) has an unequalsurface and a semi-sweet taste. Fruit of ‘Donutnice’ variety is moreattractive, with a regularly round shape and surface, and a balancedtaste.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedduring the fourth fruiting season, corresponding to the fifth growingseason, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchardslocated near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock wasa ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are byreference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large as compared to other            common commercial nectarine cultivars. The tree size the            first year was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned            during each following dormant season to a height of            approximately 250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could            reach 80 cm. So the tree size from the second year (second            and next years) reached a final height of 330 cm with            current seasons shots length comprised.        -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was            oriented to a central leader organisation, with tree lines            spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same            tree line.        -   Vigor.—Considered moderately vigorous to vigorous. The            present variety grew from about 200 cm to 280 cm in height            during the first growing season. For second and following            seasons, the variety was pruned to an approximate height of            250 cm.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 3 was            necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning may not be too            important because of the high magnifying potential of the            fruit. Thinning was necessary every year during the past 4            years.        -   Form.—The ‘Donutnice’ variety has naturally a semi-spread to            semi-upright shape.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages            were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12            degrees Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to frosty            springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 8.0 cm and 9.5 cm in            diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm            above the soil level, on trees of the fifth growing season.            The branching begins at 50 cm above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with numerous folds            of papery scarfskin being present.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees of the            fifth growing season. The lenticels range in size from            approximately 4.5 millimeters to 7.5 millimeters in width,            and from 2.5 millimeters to 3.0 millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey            color (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the            inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C            to RHS Black 202 C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.5 to 9.0            millimeters, and branches of trees of the fifth growing            season have a diameter comprised between 21.0 and 46.0            millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 70            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture. — Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 35.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199            A).        -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips            is considered a light green (RHS Green 143 C-D) on lower            part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in            more or less brown-red (RHS Greyed Red 182 A-B-C-D)            following the position on the shoot.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements            have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season            growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is above 4.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 185.0 to 235.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 37.0 to 54.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the leaf            longitudinal axis.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 137            A). Lower surface. — Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137            C).        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green with a cream touch (RHS            Yellow Green 145 D).        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About            8.0 to about 12.0 mm. Diameter. — About 1.5 to about 2.0 mm.            Color. — Light green with a cream touch (RHS Yellow Green            145 B-C).        -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered small. Their length is about            1.0 millimeters. Number. — Generally 2 to 4 glands per leaf.            Type. — Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf glands            color is considered a pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older            leaves, leaf glands color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey            Brown 199 A to 199 B).        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of            development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round            tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables            dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are            approximately 10.0 millimeters wide and approximately 18.0            millimeters long.        -   Flower buds.—Color. — This characteristic is dependent upon            the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development,            the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of            purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to Grey Brown            Group 199 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is generally of            pale pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 B to Red Purple 69 C).            Petals color shows an evolution until the end of flowering.            The buds are considered hardy under typical central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.        -   Hardiness.—No winter injury was noted during the last            several years of evaluation in the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as            low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety            has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat            stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in            orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an            average temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during            3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—Generally March. The first bloom was observed            on Mar. 9, 2006.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium season in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed on March. The date of bloom varies            slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.            Thus the first full bloom was observed approximately on Mar.            13, 2006.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 10 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full            bloom is approximately 31.0 to 36.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 40            flowers per meter.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium for the species.        -   Length.—Generally about 20.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Pale Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 B-C) when young,            darkening with advancing senescence.        -   Fragrance.—Slight.        -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a conic            form with a slighty rounded extremity. Length. —            Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately            4.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Petal margins.—Generally very slightly undulated.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally            entire at the tip, and dome-shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium and having an            average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.            Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 2.0            millimeters. Color. — A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B            to C).        -   Floral nectaries.—Color. — A green yellow (varying from RHS            Yellow 13 A-B Group to RHS Yellow Green 150 A-B Group).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.            Color. — The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.        -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,            fine pubescent texture. Size. — Average. Color. — A flat Red            (approximately RHS Greyed Red Purple 183 A to RHS Grey Brown            199A).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately between            35 and 40 stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small to medium in length. Color. —            Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed Purple 178            A Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at maturity.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow            color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B-C) changing with            maturity. The present variety is considered self fruitful            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. — Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to            16.0 millimeters in length. In all cases filament's length            is superior or equal to pistil's length. Filaments are            shorter than petals.        -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple            62 C-D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A-B).        -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.            Length. — Approximately 15.0 to 21.0 millimeters including            the ovary; Smaller than filament's length. Color. —            Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow Green            150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group). Surface            texture. — Glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping            ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 25, 2006.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 3, 2006. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The            ‘Donutnice’ variety has a medium date of picking, and a            grouped maturity: only 2 harvests in 10 days were necessary.        -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large to very large, with a            homogeneous size between them.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately between 75.0 and 80.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately between 30.0 and 40.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally approximately between 100.0 and            140.0 grams. This characteristic is high dependent upon the            prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not            particularly distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Broad oblate. The fruit is            generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and smooth, extending from the            base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists            along the suture line.        -   Suture.—Color. — This has generally a color similar to the            blush color of the fruit, a purple red (RHS Red Purple 59A            to RHS Red 46A Group).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non prominent, slightly depressed, very small.        -   Base.—Slightly wide-mouthed, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Generally elongated in the suture plane.            Average depth of the stem cavity is about 0.8 cm. Average            width is about 1.8 cm.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,            and tenacious to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending            on stage of maturity. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste. —            Balanced. Tendency to crack. — None observed.        -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is an homogenous            purple red (RHS Red Purple 59A to RHS Red 46A Group). The            red blush covers 90% to 100% of the fruit skin surface. The            percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,            and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions            under which the fruit was grown. Some occurrences of            cork-lenticels are present, less or more marked following            climatic conditions. Ground color. — The ground color            appears until 10% of the fruit skin surface, and is            considered pink-washed red (RHS Red Purple 60A).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very evenly, homogenous, slow. Texture. —            Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity stage.            Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality.            — Considered very good and spicy. Flavor. — Considered            balanced. The Brix is superior to 13 and acidity comprised            between 10 and 15 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered            spicy. Juice. — Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. —            Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic            varies slightly with the number of fruit per tree;            prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic            conditions. Flesh color. — White flesh (RHS White Group            N155D), with red pigmentation (RHS Red purple 60 A to B).-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi-clingstone.        -   Size.—Considered small for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately between 10.0 and 15.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately between 20.0 and 25.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately between 20.0 and 25.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—oblate.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short and oblate,            asymmetric with a prominence on one perpendicular side to            apical face.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered small size, with an oblate-form and            dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are deeper on            lateral sides and less pronounced toward the apex. Ridges. —            The surface texture is generally characterized by more            prominent ridges along the ventral edges and less prominent            at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and            having a dimension of approximately 4.0 millimeters at            mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered an orange to red-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 173 C            to D).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered small. Diameter. —            Approximately 7.0 millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately            5.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered oblate. Pellicle. —            Pubescent. Color. — The kernel skin is a light orange-yellow            (RHS Greyed Orange 166 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed            Orange 166 B). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White            159 D). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of            fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘Donutnice’ is considered to be a            nectarine tree of medium season of maturity, and which            produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored. Fruits have a balanced taste and are excellent for            uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full            maturity. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,            they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product            (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are            also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than            one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well            between 2 and 3 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius.            They have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on            the tree after growth completion and after harvesting            without alteration.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or            skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin. Fruits seem not            sensitive to Monilia. No specific application was done            against Fusicoccum Amygdali, and no specific manifestation            of Fusicoccum Amygdali occurred.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of flat nectarine tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by flat fruit with a balanced white flesh ofhigh eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentageof red blush.